Embracing Compassion:

A Call to Kindness in Uncertain Times

LEAD WITH COMPASSION !!

In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, one thing remains constant – the power of compassion and kindness. Amidst the challenges we face, showing empathy towards both humans and nature can be a beacon of light. Let's explore some simple yet impactful ways we can infuse compassion into our lives:

Compassion Towards Humans:

  • Random Acts of Kindness:

    • Surprise a colleague with a coffee or a thoughtful note.

    • Offer a helping hand to a neighbor, whether it's with groceries or chores.

  • Active Listening:

    • Engage in genuine conversations, truly listening to others' thoughts and feelings.

    • Practice empathy by putting yourself in someone else's shoes.

  • Volunteerism:

    • Dedicate time to a local charity or community organization.

    • Join a volunteer group and contribute to causes that resonate with you.

  • Support Local Businesses:

    • Choose local shops and businesses to support the community.

    • Share positive experiences with friends and family to boost their visibility.

  • Express Gratitude:

    • Take a moment each day to appreciate the people around you.

    • Send thank-you notes or messages to express gratitude for the little things.

Compassion Towards Nature:

  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:

    • Minimize your carbon footprint by adopting sustainable practices.

    • Encourage others to recycle and be mindful of waste disposal.

  • Connect with Nature:

    • Spend time outdoors to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.

    • Support conservation efforts by participating in tree-planting initiatives.

  • Mindful Consumption:

    • Choose eco-friendly products and reduce single-use items.

    • Educate yourself about sustainable practices and share your knowledge with others.

  • Wildlife Preservation:

    • Support wildlife conservation organizations.

    • Create bird feeders or bee-friendly gardens to promote biodiversity.

  • Educate and Advocate:

    • Stay informed about environmental issues and share your knowledge.

    • Advocate for policies that promote environmental sustainability.

Overall Well-being:

  • Practice Self-Compassion:

    • Be kind to yourself and prioritize self-care.

    • Embrace mindfulness and meditation to foster inner peace.

  • Cultivate a Culture of Kindness:

    • Encourage kindness in your workplace, school, or community.

    • Organize events that promote unity and understanding.

In a world where uncertainty looms large, our collective compassion can serve as a powerful force for positive change. By extending kindness towards both humans and nature, we not only uplift others but also contribute to a more harmonious and resilient world. Let compassion be the guiding light that leads us through the challenges, reminding us that together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate future. ~RS

Good Afternoon. It's Wednesday, Jan. 17, and we're covering a squashed airline merger, a milestone in cloning primates, and much more.

JetBlue-Spirit Deal Foiled

A federal judge yesterday blocked JetBlue Airways from acquiring Spirit Airlines, ruling the $3.8B deal would have driven up fares for price-conscious travelers and hurt competition. Spirit's shares closed down 47% yesterday; JetBlue shares closed up 4.9%. 

Cloned Rhesus Monkey

A genetically cloned rhesus monkey has survived into adulthood for the first time, according to new research published yesterday. The healthy 3-year-old named Retro is just the third instance of a cloned primate to reach maturity after two 6-year-old long-tailed macaques born in 2018. 

Gilgo Beach Suspect Charged

Long Island murder suspect Rex Heuermann was charged in connection with a fourth murder yesterday for the 2007 killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Prosecutors charged Heuermann with second-degree murder, citing DNA evidence linking the 60-year-old former Manhattan architect to the crime scene. He was previously charged with murder in July for the deaths of three other victims.

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards draws 4.3 million viewers, a 27% drop from the previous Emmys held in September 2022; the lowest TV ratings ever for the awards show (More)

New York Knicks owner James Dolan accused in lawsuit of sexual assault and trafficking alongside Harvey Weinstein (More)

Mallory Swanson signs with Chicago Red Stars for a National Women's Soccer League record of $2M total (More)

22-year-old British rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit quits rugby to pursue career in NFL via the league's international player pathway (More)

Science & Technology

> Apple overtakes Samsung for first time in global smartphone market share, around 19% to 20%; Samsung has led global sales since 2011 (More)

> Researchers wrap yearlong experiment successfully demonstrating the ability to harvest solar energy in space, transform it into microwaves beamed to the Earth's surface (More)

> Breast cancer cells can consume their surroundings, known as the extracellular matrix, when starved of energy; findings suggest a route for potential new anticancer drugs (More)

Business & Markets

> US stock markets close lower (S&P 500 -0.4%, Dow -0.6%, Nasdaq -0.2%) as Wall Street sifts through latest batch of fourth-quarter earnings (More)

Nvidia shares hit new record high; AMD shares rise to highest level in more than two years (More)

Politics & World Affairs

US renews strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, following more attacks on Red Sea commercial vessels (More)

US forces intercept Iranian missiles heading to Yemen; two Navy SEALs reportedly lost at sea during mission (More)

Supreme Court to hear arguments today challenging 40-year-old ruling that says courts should defer to agencies' "reasonable" interpretations of ambiguous statutes (More)

Defamation case against former President Donald Trump brought by E. Jean Carroll begins (More)

Congressional leaders reach deal on bipartisan tax package, including a temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit; unclear whether bill can pass House and Senate (More)

In Other News

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."

- Muhammad Ali

Culture

Bipartisan Deal Could Expand Child Tax Credit, Boost American Businesses

Congress announced a bipartisan tax deal yesterday, and it could bring some financial relief for families and business owners in particular. If passed, the $78 billion agreement will increase the maximum child tax credit from $1,600 to $1,800 for 2023 tax returns, and then $1,900 in 2024 and $2,000 in 2025. It would also allow more low-income families with multiple children to receive the credit for every child.

It’s a big deal to have this opportunity to pass pro-family policy that helps so many kids get ahead,” Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden said in a statement, noting that 15 million children from low-income families are poised to benefit from the deal. Wyden introduced the legislation alongside Missouri Sen. Jason Smith.

“American families will benefit from this bipartisan agreement that provides greater tax relief, strengthens Main Street businesses, boosts our competitiveness with China, and creates jobs,” said Smith.

Inspiring Stories

The domino effect of kindness
Bryan Tsiliacos’ journey to complete 30 acts of kindness by his 30th birthday has inspired an entire movement called the “Decade of Kindness,” which challenges participants to do 10 acts of kindness within a year.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

 

- Helen Keller

Post Of The Day

Monday marked 15 years since the “Miracle on the Hudson,” in which Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger made an emergency landing on New York’s Hudson River and all 155 people onboard survived. The now-retired pilot recently reflected on the anniversary, thanking the passengers, crew, first responders, and rescuers who contributed. “This group of strangers rose to the occasion and on Jan. 15, 2009, made it their mission in life to save every life,” he said in a video posted to Instagram. “This event gave us hope, and I think for many it renewed our faith in human nature — that we each possess within us the potential for serving a cause greater than oneself.” Click here to see the restored plane he landed that day, set to go on display this summer at a new museum named after Sullenberger

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